Sensory Technologist

Ashby de la Zouch (Home of Hula Hoops, Space Raiders, Nik Naks, popchips and more...)

Permanent Role 

Company Overview

KP Snacks is proud to be part of the Intersnack Group. With an annual turnover of more than €3 billion, the Intersnack Group has grown and flourished to become a market leader in savoury snacks, present in over 30 countries across Europe, Australia, New Zealand and beyond, employing more than 14,000 employees and 44 factories globally (33 in Europe, 3 in Australia, 3 in New Zealand, 2 in India and 3 in Vietnam).

In the UK KP Snacks consists of c2,300 colleagues across our seven factory locations and Slough HQ. We make great tasting snack brands such as Hula Hoops, McCoy’s, Pombear, KP Nuts, Butterkist popcorn, Tyrrells and popchips.

Salary: Depending on experience

Some of the benefits you can expect to receive:

· Bonus scheme

· Medicash Health cash plan

· Private Healthcare (dependent on Grade)

· KP Pension Plan – matching contribution stakeholder pension plan (up to 7% of salary) which also includes life assurance and income protection

· 25 days holiday

. 5-year service additional holiday

· Annual salary review

· MyGym Discounts

· Cancer Care

· Holiday Buy (buy up to an additional 5 days holiday per year)

· Career Break

· Cycle to Work

· Company Sick Pay – once eligible

· Employee Assistance Programme

· Digital GP

· Best Doctors - 2nd medical opinion

· Access to KP4ME - online benefits, discounts, prizes, competitions and information platform with access to mental, physical and financial wellbeing information and tools

The Role:
We are seeking a talented Sensory Technologist to join our Product Development team at KP Snacks. As a Sensory Technologist, you will play a crucial role in ensuring the quality and taste of our snack products meet the highest standards.

• Conduct sensory evaluations and tests to assess product quality
• Collaborate with cross-functional teams to develop new snack products
• Provide insights and recommendations based on sensory analysis
• Stay updated on industry trends and consumer preferences
• Carry out sensory projects within agreed timelines, utilising appropriate sensory methodologies and with effective management of the KP Snacks sensory panel capability.
• Interpret results using appropriate statistical techniques and issue reports to facilitate business decision making based on good quality data and simply summarised recommendations to stakeholders.
• Recruit, train, coach and monitor performance of sensory panellists and be responsible for prioritisation of their work.
• Collaborate closely with Research & Development and Research & Insights teams to agree on best testing methodologies for effective decision making via efficient use of sensory capabilities for both shorter term product launches and pro-actively developing longer term studies such as competitor benchmarking.
• Take responsibility for the safe and efficient running of the sensory facility, ensuring procedures are followed properly and the highest standards of work and environment, health and safety are maintained.
• Design and deliver sensory training to meet the needs of KP Snacks colleagues across all sites/teams and promote good practice sensory evaluation across the UK business, including correct evaluation of samples and provision of training and routine panel calibration.
• Support Development team to conduct triangle tests to support their projects, providing training and assisting with documentation and interpretation of results.
• Liaise with Intersnack International Flavour Design Team and wider cross MU Sensory Network to encourage best practice in sensory testing and training.
• Ensure panel assessments comply with KP Product Quality Assessment (PQA) process and provide sensory product descriptions for incorporation into PPA specifications.
• When required, work with external agencies including suppliers and consumer research agencies to develop sensory test plans and sharing internal results as required.
• In partnership with line manager, connect effectively with key suppliers to keep up to date with their sensory methodologies and data interpretation tools.
• Carry out administration tasks relating to panel, including tracking holidays, logging absences on in Cascade and completing return to work interviews.
• Support line manager for the effective budget management within sensory – manage expenditure on sundries, maintenance, training, and any third party support.
• Be able to work with agility, changing priorities, flexible to handle other research & development duties as required, working outside normal hours where needed.

We aim to foster a diverse family-like culture where everyone can be themselves and feel a sense of belonging. The I&D program focuses on Culture, Leadership, Recruitment, and Equitable Progression. We operate an inclusive recruitment process to attract diverse talent and educate hiring managers on bias. Additionally, we run a comprehensive program addressing various diversity topics to promote an inclusive workplace. Join KP Snacks to be a part of a diverse and inclusive team that values individuality and promotes growth.

We wholeheartedly encourage individuals from diverse backgrounds to apply for this position. We are totally committed to creating a workplace where not one person feels they do not belong. Please just let us know if there is anything we can do to make the process more easily accessible for you or if you have any special requirements.

Whichever method you are using to apply, please ensure that your application clearly demonstrates the relevant skills we are looking for, with clear evidence to support.

The Candidate:

• Passionate about food and product development, and how sensory perception is a critical part of consumer-winning designs. Have great tasting ability and general heightened sensorial capability will be valued.
  
• Excellent organisation and prioritisation skills are essential, as well as the ability to work effectively as part of a team or individually, managing both individual and team workloads.
  
• A minimum of 3 years experience in a FMCG product development environment, including basic level of understanding/experience of sensory function, ideally in food industry.
  
• BSc qualified in a Science discipline, ideally including statistics and / or food.
  
• Experience in statistical analysis and working knowledge of sensory statistical software (Compusense or similar)
  
• Knowledge and use of discrimination and descriptive techniques along with working knowledge of statistical theory and application in sensory testing.
  
• Strong communication skills, able to translate sophisticated analysis with clarity to all levels of the business and externally.
  
• Can do attitude, matched with strong collaboration and pro-active mindset, continually driving enhanced ways of working.
  
• Excellent Excel and PowerPoint skills and ability to analyse and interpret data from a range or sources.
  
• Valid UK Driving Licence
  
• Experience in leading a sensory panel / running tasting panel sessions.
  
• Understanding of the food industry, particularly snacks.

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